Newcastle United struggled for cutting edge in front of goal in the absence of star striker Alexander Isak as they played out a goalless draw with Aston Villa at Villa Park on Saturday.

With Isak unavailable as he continues to push for a move to Liverpool, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe was forced to play recognised winger Anthony Gordon up front.

The lacklustre affair proved an anticlimax as the early kick-off on the opening weekend of the new Premier League season with Ezri Konsa’s 66th-minute red card the only real moment of jeopardy.

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